By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said, even though they applaud the matriculants in the Class of 2022, they are concerned about the learners who drop out of school before reaching Grade 12.

According to the DA’s Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West, Winston Rabotapi who is also DA’s provincial spokesperson on Education, almost 30 000 learners dropped out of school before reaching matric.

“We would like to congratulate each North West matriculant in the Class of 2022, who passed their final examinations despite the odds of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extended lockdowns, which disrupted education, and the extended Eskom rolling blackouts stacked against them.

“We also extend our thanks and appreciation to all teachers and staff members who went above and beyond to ensure that matriculants were afforded the support they needed to complete their matric final examinations under very challenging circumstances,” he said.

He further said, to those matriculants who failed to pass their matric, this is not the end. Rabotapi added, there are many avenues available to obtain their senior certificate qualification.

“They can do that either through sitting for supplementary examinations or enrolling in any TVET college. Even though the North West Department of Education recorded 79.8%, however, this pass rate does not account for the 27,243 learners who dropped out of the school system since Grade 10 in 2020.

““So, considering the high drop-out rate, the real matric pass rate in North West is actually 49.2% This means that half of the 71 066 pupils who began Grade 10 in 2020, failed to complete matric,” said Rabotapi.,” said Rabotapi.

He said, it is also disappointing to see North West province further drop in its provincial ranking from being in the 4th position in 2021 to the 5th spot in 2022.

“The DA will engage the North West MEC of Education, Viola Motsumi, to establish a system to account for all learners who drop out of the school system before completing their final matric examinations.

“So, to develop a support plan for these pupils to assist them with completing their studies towards obtaining their senior certificate qualification. Motsumi along with the relevant stakeholders should also prioritise school infrastructure maintenance. This will assist the North West schools to become centres of excellence,” he said.

The Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) secretary in North West, Papiki Babuile said the majority of the matriculants were in Grade 10 when rotational learning was introduced on the basis of stringent lockdown regulations in

2020. “In 2022, it was their final year and they were faced with an unbearable load-shedding, and yet they progressed against all odds. It becomes important to note that, the hard work and achievement of the matriculants debunk the narrative that, children of the poor working class are lazy.

“The matriculants defied the hand-made odds created by the spineless, corruptible, and purposeless North West Provincial Government (NWPG). Under the North West Premier, Bushy Maape’s leadership, the province has recorded more service delivery protests and ultimate disruptions of schools in many municipalities across the province,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “We are proud to announce that, the North West Class of 2022 has registered yet another milestone by obtaining a pass rate of 79.8%.

“This is an increase of 1.6 % from 78.2% in 2021. However, we need to remind ourselves that our Annual Performance Plan target for the 2022 matric pass rate was 85%. I am also excited to announce that, out of 444 schools that presented Grade 12 in 2022, 338 (that is 76,1 % of the schools) performed at 70% and above.”

Motsumi said, in total, the number of candidates who achieved Bachelor passes is 14 733 (33.62%) compared to 13 872 of the Class of 2021. She said the number of passes with a Diploma is 12 370 (28, 2 %), higher than 10 794 attained in 2021.

“The passes with Higher Certificates is 7 853 (17, 9%), which is an improvement from last year of 7 470. Four candidates in Special Needs Schools passed with an endorsed NSC.

“In total, 34 960 candidates out 43 823 passed their matric in 2022, and 7 903 distinctions were achieved in various subjects including in Life Orientation. The department is a system on the rise,” she said.
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By REGINALD KANYANE

A learner from Zinniaville Secondary School in Rustenburg, North West, Safiyyah Wadee (18) said, even though the COVID-19 pandemic and load-shedding had a negative impact on her studies, she is so grateful to be crowned the provincial top achiever.

Safiyyah received seven distinctions in all subjects with an average of 95%. She also received national recognition for being the third-best-performing learner in the country.

“I am super excited about being the provincial top achiever. I also received a national award on 19 January 2023. My highest subject was Mathematics with 99%.

“I would like to study medicine this year, preferably at the University of Witwatersrand. However, I’m still waiting for their acceptance letter. I am always fascinated by Human Biology, hence I want to study medicine,” she said.

Safiyyah further said, her auntie and uncle are excellent medical doctors in their various fields and what inspired her is that they are serving in public hospitals.

She added that South Africa has a shortage of medical doctors, especially in public hospitals.

“I want to make a positive impact and I am inspired by them. You know, the COVID-19 pandemic and load-shedding always had a negative impact on my time management skill.

“So, I created a timetable at the beginning of the year and made sure that, it was as detailed as possible. I was also disciplined, dedicated, and determined to follow it because I did not want to skew away from my study time,” said Safiyyah.

She encouraged those who did not make it not to despair, but to work harder. Her mother. Tasneem Wadee shared the same sentiments.

“Safiyyah worked extremely hard and she was dedicated to her studies. She was one of the best achievers since Grade 1, so we are blessed to have her as our child.

“She is one person who never gives up and she made sure that, she performed well in every assignment, test, or exam paper. We were always there to show her support through her journey,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said even though the province received 79.8% and occupied position five, the class of 2022 showed resolute character, tenacity, and resilience. Motsumi also lauded Grade 12 learners for not allowing any external force to derail them.

“It is true that darkest nights produce brightest stars. You prevailed over the stark realities stemming from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown restrictions.

“We also experienced load-shedding, inclement weather, floods, and community service delivery protests that could have easily taken you off the rails of achieving your academic goals,” she said.

Motsumi said that even though there are challenges, her department is a system on the rise. She said to this end, they have invested in the learners.

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